Center for Parent Information & Resources

Family Matters PTIC, in partnership with Easterseals Family Support Services serving Chicago and the Greater Rockford Area, is proud to offer this specialized training designed to help families and professionals navigate the unique challenges that arise during puberty for youth with intellectual disabilities.

This interactive session provides practical tools and strategies to support youth as they experience the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty, including:

Typical developmental milestones during puberty

How intellectual disabilities may impact a youth’s understanding and response to these changes

Tools for teaching body autonomy, personal hygiene, and healthy boundaries

Strategies for encouraging self-awareness, safety, and self-advocacy

Approaches to discussing sensitive topics like relationships and emotional regulation in a respectful, age-appropriate way

Participants will gain real-life examples, inclusive communication strategies, and access to valuable resources. This training empowers families and professionals to support youth with dignity, confidence, and compassion.

Target Audience: Parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals who support youth with intellectual disabilities.

Healthy relationship boundaries are an important skill for us all. We are seeing more and more examples of those who have crossed lines in our culture. Even though people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are sexual beings, just like everyone, they also need the information and skills to navigate these waters and learn what’s okay and not okay in various settings.

This FREE 60-minute workshop will explore tips and tools for addressing sexuality one-on-one with the individuals you work with. We will explore why this topic can be difficult to approach and useful tools that will help you become more comfortable and confident communicating about this sensitive topic.